HOPE SMLING BRIGHTLY

I still can't believe Peter wanted to be the Grandma. It was so fun to mix things up with the characters. The axe we borrowed from someone who had already converted it to a "prop" using a real axe handle. The wolf ears and teeth we purchased from Amazon, the grandma wig from Walmart, and the star of the show, the Little Red Riding Hood costume is from TJ Maxx.

Sometimes you peruse the aisles of TJ Maxx and stumble upon the most perfect little Halloween costume.

The costume calls to you. It pleads with you. "Purchase me! Purchase me! Your darling little red-head will win the world over with this costume on. It was made for her! Convince your 9 year old son that he really does want to be a wolf for Halloween. It will all work out. Just get me while you can!"

So you march to the cash register. Because when the clothes talk...you must obey.

And it turns out, my son is actually stoked to be the grandma. THE GRANDMA. Can't wait to share the photos of the whole family.

{I snapped this photo in the Bloedell Reserve on Bainbridge Island--across the water from Seattle}

I often
get overwhelmed with the state of affairs in our world today. Everything that’s
broken seems impossibly beyond our ability to fix. The poverty, corruption,
racism, refugee crisis, gun violence, political climate. It is more than I can
process or understand. Am I the only one who sometimes feels
utterly helpless in my ability to create a better world for my children? I
can’t read the news or look too closely at what is really going on in some
areas because I feel the pain too deeply and I lose my ability to function.

Yes, I
vote. I try to make good choices. I pay my taxes, occasionally say my prayers.
I donate to good causes, I try to stay educated and informed on current issues.
But I’m a mom with young kids. My life is chaotic, busy, messy, and at times,
very unfocused. What can I really do to help heal the world?

I think
the answer to this huge question is Small. I can start small. We all need to
think smaller. When we think smaller, magic happens. We will only see the change above ground if the soil beneath is rich and
deep.

The soil is our families
and our communities.

I’ve
recently started a part-time job as a librarian at the Park City Library on Park Ave in Old Town. Of all the things in life I dreamed of becoming, being a librarian was
not one of them. In fact, it’s the furthest thing I can think of from what I
thought I always wanted to be: a Broadway star. However, I’ve discovered that
the soil is extremely fertile on the library grounds and its kept me planted and nourished.

Take,
for example, the young man with slurred speech and a limp in his walk who
entered the library a few days ago asking for help to print a document. I knew
nothing about him, but from the outside, we were different as night and day:
literally. Dark skin, tall, dressed in athleisure attire, struggling to walk (Meanwhile,
I dance full out to George Michael in the back room when I’m checking in
books).

As we
stood at the printer and I assisted him with the process, his cell phone rang
and I happened to glance over and see that the screen said, “MOM”. Now, I had
no ill feelings whatsoever toward this patron, but when I saw the word “MOM” on
his phone screen, I softened inside on a deeper level. This beautiful man is
someone’s son! He has a mom who loves him and is calling to check up on him…I
better do my best to take care of him while he’s here at the library. I started
a conversation with him and we enjoyed chatting for a minute or two. We
exchanged smile after smile and several ‘Thank you’s” and You’re Welcome’s.

Exchanges
like these happen everyday at the library, but for some reason this experience
really hit me.

Or what
about yesterday when I got to participate in our book club for adults with
disabilities? We went around the circle giving updates on our lives, including
how Maddi’s favorite stuffed animal , Rudolph is doing. We slowly took turns
reading Chapter 1 of “Treasure Island” , letting each person pronounce the
words however they wanted, then discussed the history and impact of this
literary adventure we were undertaking.

We have
the East Coaster who recently moved to a nice neighborhood in Park City,
daughter is attending Private School, and they’d like a library card. Sure
thing! While they fill out the paper work we find out all sorts of things we
have in common and I suggest a restaurant for dinner and welcome them to town.

The
highschool students who use our study rooms, who are cramming for their
chemistry exam. Chemistry! Wow, I never took chemistry. Oh, it’s because you
want to go to med school? How wonderful. You’ll do great! Here, I have an extra
granola bar if you need it.

A nanny
in town watching a crying toddler while the family skis? Why yes, I can help
you figure out which bus to take to get back to your hotel so this little guy
can take a nap. You’re from Los Angeles? That’s so great. I used to live there.
That’s where I met my husband. You’re from Jamaica? One of my best friend’s I
performed with in college is from Jamaica. It was so great to meet you, too.
Looks like your bus is pulling up.

Bob
with the long white beard, turns in a book and tells me with a wink in his eye,
“If you’re a liberal, you won’t like this book, but I loved it.” That’s ok,
Bob. You and your wife are so sweet. I like you regardless of your political
beliefs.

This is
the magic. This is the fertile soil of change I’m talking about.It’s the
magic of staying within sight and sound of each other as a community.

I’ll
never write or pass a bill, be a lobbyist or politician. Heck, even if I were,
my hands would be tied in so many different knots I’d hardly be able to create
the changes I want.

Here’s
the thing: We argue those with opposing view points on social media. We avoid
topics with our families over the holidays because there are certain touchy
subjects. (Gun control- ahem) We get so upset, angry even, when we focus on our
differing beliefs. But I have truly found that it is
difficult to hate someone up close.

I
certainly don’t have all the answers. But my heart tells me that this is the
answer. At least for me. New York City
or Park City. Nowhere Tennessee, Tulsa, Oklahoma or Tallahassee, Florida—we
must nourish the community soil in our churches, libraries, CLUBS, sports
teams, schools, and families.

No challenge before us is
more important — and more potentially life-giving — than that we come to see
and know our fellow citizens, our neighbors, who have become strangers. The more we care for one
another, the greater and more vibrant our blossom and our harvest.

I may
be small. My acts may be small, but they can affect great change. So next time
you get overwhelmed with the gigantic problems facing our nation and our world,
remember to keep it small. Think of me, all 5’1” of me. Think of these words,
the grown man with his mom still checking in on him, and decide to go out into
the community and till a little dirt.